Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)


___________________
Graeme Challinor

I have a STIGA Compact which I would not recommend - not robust enough - not
sure if their bigger models are any better.
I have a number of friends with Greenfields which seem to be indestructible.
Geoff

I grew up west of Ipswich Qld I'm afraid I can't remember the mower my
mother bought for me to use but it was actually a very small tractor
with the blades underneath. I can after working for six months several
years back for the Gold Coast City Council in thier parks & gardens
section suggest that it my be wise to have a chat to your local
councils parks & gardens section for their opinions on something
suitable. After all you do contribute to the maney they spend & earn.

g'day graeme,

i'd have to see your situation to be able to suggest any particular
machine and as for independant reviews there is only possibly choice
magazine and how the evaluate a thing like a mower without first hand
experience in using many makes and models and without repairing many
makes and models astounds me.

i saw one of ther very erly reviews when i was still a mower mechanic
to me it was laughable all they seemd to be doing was supporting
someone who sponsered the review.

anyway for the main ride on mowers are just that mowers you ride on
they don't generally cut long grass on uneven rough ground. if you
want to cut rough stuff you need some sort of slasher mower and they
are generally walk behind models, unless there is something on the
market that i am not aware of.

might be you may ahe to get a person in with a slasher knock it into
shape then look for a rider mower.

when you do look for a rider mower it needs to be a model with a
variable speed mechanism eg.,. gear box or the like. these single
speed touch and go high maintenance models are not quiet as robust and
the engines get over worked on them let alone their driving mechanisms
imagine how long a car would alst with a similar drive.

and the end of the day seek out a specialist shop where there is the
experience to be able to offer good advice.

the reliable models from my day where the snapper 5 speed, the
deutscher 5 speed(?) and the rover rancher then had 6 speed.



snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.users.bigpond.com/gardenlen1

Hi,
two cents from me on the mower for you to put in your mix
I have a two yrs old 18 hp MTD 42 inch deck 'yard tractor' 8 speed . i use
it on about one acre or so of a little rough in places paddock and the house
surrounds. so far am pretty happy with it overall. i have no other
experience with rider mowers. its got a mulching attachment which just
blocks the chute and deposits the clippings on the ground rather than send
them flying out the side. it is less effective if the grass is thicker/
longer /wetter. i use it on the house surrounds if the grass is short, and
never on the paddock.

I have found that if you don't thrash it or go too fast for it to cut then
it's pretty tough. there are a couple of guards over the belt pulleys which
have had the bolts or screws fixing them to the deck vibrate off. I did
screw one down but even that vibrated off. it also happened to a neighbour
who had hers welded to the deck. I have found that i can get by with out
them but you might want to look at the relative safety of this. there is
also a cylindrical rubber cover for the brake clutch pedal which cracked
quickly and slid off . i no longer use it.

like any mower i reckon you have to be careful with running over rocks
stones sticks etc. I have ruined three blades by running over hidden rocks.
part of mowing i guess in some respects but to be avoided when a replacement
is 30 plus dollars and there are two blades to the deck. I have also been
through three deck belts from having the longer grass clog it up. if you get
clogged at all you have zero time to disengage the blades and clear the
blockage before the slipping belt heats up and disintegrates. also can be
pricey. but i have found that using non genuine parts is much cheaper and so
far they are as strong and reliable as the genuine. i have not replaced
either blade or belt since i switched to non genuine, but of course i try
harder to care for the equipment than i used. the engine is briggs and
stratton seems good sound strong and reliable. i have run over one piece of
stray fence wire and punctured the tyre but put a tube in and it's fine.
seat adjusts for the shorter folk in yr household who want to see the snakes
on the lawn more clearly by cutting the grass every five minutes, and it
rides smoothly enough if a little loud (85 db rated), but muffs take care of
that. so far so good over all and cost a little less than 4 grand two yrs
ago. i can't see what else might go wrong with it but i reckon it will soon
enough.
just a summary of my rider mower adventures. most ppl i have spoken to all
recommend / swear by different models so what does that tell you? think
about how close yr dealer / spares place is to you. the fwd / reverse lever
and the gears/ park brake are below the seat in between your legs which is
awkward for rapid changes ( and very difficult if the seat is adjusted way
forward) but if you sit for a bit at the same speed its not much of an
issue. also has two always on headlights which i don't need and they seem to
be just one more thing one might need to repair /replace
anyway hope this is some help ask for more if you want
love and peace
SyrianPrince


wrote in message
...
Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)


___________________
Graeme Challinor

"SyrianPrince" wrote in message
...
Hi,
two cents from me on the mower for you to put in your mix
I have a two yrs old 18 hp MTD 42 inch deck 'yard tractor' 8 speed . i use
it on about one acre or so of a little rough in places paddock and the
house surrounds. so far am pretty happy with it overall. i have no other
experience with rider mowers. its got a mulching attachment which just
blocks the chute and deposits the clippings on the ground rather than send
them flying out the side. it is less effective if the grass is thicker/
longer /wetter. i use it on the house surrounds if the grass is short, and
never on the paddock.

I have found that if you don't thrash it or go too fast for it to cut then
it's pretty tough. there are a couple of guards over the belt pulleys
which have had the bolts or screws fixing them to the deck vibrate off. I
did screw one down but even that vibrated off. it also happened to a
neighbour who had hers welded to the deck. I have found that i can get by
with out them but you might want to look at the relative safety of this.
there is also a cylindrical rubber cover for the brake clutch pedal which
cracked quickly and slid off . i no longer use it.

like any mower i reckon you have to be careful with running over rocks
stones sticks etc. I have ruined three blades by running over hidden
rocks. part of mowing i guess in some respects but to be avoided when a
replacement is 30 plus dollars and there are two blades to the deck. I
have also been through three deck belts from having the longer grass clog
it up. if you get clogged at all you have zero time to disengage the
blades and clear the blockage before the slipping belt heats up and
disintegrates. also can be pricey. but i have found that using non genuine
parts is much cheaper and so far they are as strong and reliable as the
genuine. i have not replaced either blade or belt since i switched to non
genuine, but of course i try harder to care for the equipment than i used.
the engine is briggs and stratton seems good sound strong and reliable. i
have run over one piece of stray fence wire and punctured the tyre but put
a tube in and it's fine. seat adjusts for the shorter folk in yr household
who want to see the snakes on the lawn more clearly by cutting the grass
every five minutes, and it rides smoothly enough if a little loud (85 db
rated), but muffs take care of that. so far so good over all and cost a
little less than 4 grand two yrs ago. i can't see what else might go wrong
with it but i reckon it will soon enough.
just a summary of my rider mower adventures. most ppl i have spoken to all
recommend / swear by different models so what does that tell you? think
about how close yr dealer / spares place is to you. the fwd / reverse
lever and the gears/ park brake are below the seat in between your legs
which is awkward for rapid changes ( and very difficult if the seat is
adjusted way forward) but if you sit for a bit at the same speed its not
much of an issue. also has two always on headlights which i don't need and
they seem to be just one more thing one might need to repair /replace
anyway hope this is some help ask for more if you want
love and peace
SyrianPrince

We have an older MTD 38" just sharpened the blades (have the burn to prove
it) and it is back to cutting great again SWMBO is not complaining yet. I
don't get to ride it, she likes the outdoor stuff, hell the lounge needs
looking after as well.
Be prepared to fork out for batteries on a regular scale, unless they take a
conversion to a proper 12v battery like from a car, motorbike batteries are
not up to it.
An old dude like Len was a mowing contractor here a few years ago and he
would sharpen his blades each night. Mind you he used it all day every day
as well. Well that is my 1/50th of a dollar worth.
Jim


wrote in message
...
Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)


___________________
Graeme Challinor

Husqvarna make a superb product, unlike others they make their own, not
a rebadged.

They have a XP range which is commercial mower with twin piston engines
and they also have single cylinder std range which is still better then
most others

Husky also have a range of front deck and also mid turn body riders,
like i said easily the best range on the market

Then there is the full bore front deck commercial range

www.husqvarna.com.au

Cheers

Phil McDonald II


wrote:
Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)


___________________
Graeme Challinor

yes jim,

those compact made to fit in batteries are pretty hopeless, as soon as
the first one wears out fit a car size battery. also in some cases a
lot cheaper battery no good buying expensive for mowers.

don't know MTD's or Deeres (what dothey say deere by nams and nature,
lots of proffessional lawnmower people use them)? but go for models
that are original badge models made by the original manufacturer, like
murry you don't see many of their machines under their own label often
used by other manufacturers as a badge model so they have a rider in
their range, they weren't very nice machines then and doubt they would
be any better now.

MTD have varying fans non-fans in the US forums do some research, for
me as i don't think snapper are around in aus' any more pity,
deutscher is very robust, and maybe rover rancher can still cut the
mustard hey?

also look for the country of manufacture on the engine a b&s should be
made in the USA or a Honda should be made in japan.



snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.users.bigpond.com/gardenlen1

yes m,

husquies are a top brand got plenty of home grown pride in them, not
sure about their mowers but their chain saws and brushcutters are the
dearer end of the price market, would be a good arguement for you are
going to get what you apy for though and that is quality behind the
husqvarna name.

too true keep away from the badge makes.

definately worth a look.



snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.users.bigpond.com/gardenlen1

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 19:08:12 +1100, wrote:

Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)

I've heard of some people riding sheep. ;-)

M wrote:
Husqvarna make a superb product, unlike others they make their own, not
a rebadged.

They have a XP range which is commercial mower with twin piston engines
and they also have single cylinder std range which is still better then
most others

Husky also have a range of front deck and also mid turn body riders,
like i said easily the best range on the market

Then there is the full bore front deck commercial range

www.husqvarna.com.au

Cheers

Phil McDonald II


wrote:

Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

I'm looking for something to cut 2-3 acres of grass (not lawn!!)
- ground a bit uneven and grass long.

Strength, easy cutting, robustness and reliability are more
important than price.

All things being equal I would prefer an Australian made one.

All suggestions/experiences welcome :-)


___________________
Graeme Challinor


Get some goats, and save money and time. Thyl'l clean up anything...

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 19:08:12 +1100, wrote:

Does anyone know where I can find some independent
reviews/comparisons/prices of available ride-on mowers?

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.

___________________
Graeme Challinor

I have just purchased a John Deere LA115 lawn tractor from a dealer in Long Island NY, I am in the west of Ireland. I am getting the mower in with duty and shipping paid for 1850euro, the same machine over here is nearly 4000euro. I have heard I will have to change the spark plugs as we use a different mix petrol...any ideas if this is true. A friend is getting a X300R all in for 3200euro, it retails here for 5700euro, why would anyone buy at home. Even with sterling/dollar conversion they must be a lot cheaper across the pond.